Nina Simone's music is incredibly honest. That's like saying, "Why does Jesus' word still stay around?" It's incredibly honest and it's good.

White people really deal more with God and black people with Jesus.

A lot of people refuse to do things because they don't want to go naked, don't want to go without guarantee. But that's what's got to happen. You go naked until you die.

Poems don't have to rhyme... Poems are about beauty and emotion; in other words poems are about feelings.

Poetry and music are very good friends. Like mommies and daddies and strawberries and cream - they go together.

Writers ... I think ... live on that fine line between insanity and genius.

There is always something to do. There are hungry people to feed, naked people to clothe, sick people to comfort and make well. And while I don't expect you to save the world I do think it's not asking too much for you to love those with whom you sleep, share the happiness of those whom you call friend, engage those among you who are visionary and remove from your life those who offer you depression, despair and disrespect.